The United States has allocated $50 million for 2023 general elections.
The US Consul General, Mr Will Stevens made this disclosure on Monday in Ibadan capital of Oyo State during an open session of election reporting workshop for journalists organised by West Africa Broadcast & Media Academy (WABMA).
According to Stevens, the budget will cover training of journalists, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and technical assistance among others to ensure transparent exercise.
The Consul-general said that the focus of the United States was to ensure that Nigeria’s 2023 general elections are peaceful and credible.
He noted that US government has been working closely in partnership with Civil Society and INEC through US Agency for International Development(USAID) to ensure that every vote counts.
According to him, “The US government has allocated over $50 million for technical assistance and support, trainings, for civil society organizations to support elections, transparency, elections processes, technical assistance, working on the IT systems among others.”
Stevens stressed that US will continue to emphasise the value of voting and protecting a free press adding that the media is absolutely essential in preserving democracy.
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He said, “We’re committed to initiatives here in Nigeria to build needed capacity. We have funded training for hundreds of journalists on topics ranging from fact checking, health reporting, defense and national security reporting, investigative journalism, election reporting and media ethics.”
“These trainings, together with other programmes we offer virtually to demonstrate our commitment to this partnership that we have long enjoyed here in Nigeria.’’ He stressed.